2025 annual convention steering committee
We are pleased to announce our Conference Steering Committee for the 2025 AAPA Annual Convention & Expo.
The members of the steering committee are comprised of representatives from our technical committees and have volunteered their time to help us curate the agenda for this year's convention.
They reviewed the session proposals submitted in our call for speakers form and have provided valuable insights to ensure that our agenda reflects the content that's top of mind for all of you.
With their help, we've built an agenda (that's soon to be announced) for the community, by the community.
Meet Our Steering Committee
Description
International relations graduate and public administration master’s degree recipient, Marie-Andrée Blanchet has worked in politics for the Premier of Québec office before transitioning to the maritime industry. With close to ten years experience at the Port of Québec she is well versed in a variety of role within the port; from cruise industry development, public relations, marketing to strategic project management and moving to her new role involving innovation, Marie-Andrée continues to take on her projects with passion and enthusiasm.
In her latest role as Cruise Port Director, Marie-Andrée focuses on fostering cruise industry development and leading innovation projects that align the port with its surrounding communities. Her keen understanding of social acceptability and her ability to devise creative, forward-thinking strategies continue to drive success in the port’s future projects.
Understanding social acceptability’s and today’s environment for future project management, her creative thinking results in innovative strategies that will help tie the port and its different communities. Recognized for her will to constantly push the boundaries, her objective is to lead the Port of Québec’s cruise sector to a new phase of comprehensive development.
Description
Joseph W. Cappel is the Vice President of Business Development for the Toledo - Lucas County Port Authority. He is responsible for working with the Port Authority’s existing and potential business partners in developing and expanding business opportunities in the Toledo Region. Mr. Cappel is also involved in many other facets of Port Authority operations including air service development, grant writing and administration, transportation planning, terminal development, lease negotiations, marketing and social media, dredge material management and environmental matters, port security and government relations.
Mr. Cappel joined the Port Authority in September 2004. Prior to that, he was the Logistics Manager at Ryder Logistics in Dundee, MI and a Distribution Supervisor for the Kroger Company at their facilities in Columbus, Ohio.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mr. Cappel is a graduate of The Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio where he earned a Bachelor of Science in business administration majoring in transportation & logistics and marketing. He obtained his Master of Business Administration (MBA) at Bowling Green State University in 2013.
Joseph serves on the Toledo Metropolitan Area Council of Governments Board of Trustees, Transportation Council and several other committees and is on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Great Lakes/Seaway Review Magazine. Joseph is the 63rd candidate to receive the Professional Port Manager (PPM) certification through the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and represents the Port of Toledo on multiple AAPA Committees including the Professional Development Board and as Chair of the Economic Development Committee. He is also Chair for the Ohio Freight Advisory Committee for the Ohio Department of Transportation and serves on various committees for the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Maritime Academy of Toledo, and Toledo Public Schools.
Description
Tiffoni Buckle McCartney is an experienced Environmental Health and Safety professional, sustainability leader, and certified Maritime Port Executive (MPE). She works for Georgia Ports Authority as the Corporate Sustainability Manager collaborating with businesses and stakeholders to maximize environmental and health programs. Tiffoni previously worked as the sustainability manager for Georgia Southern University campuses in Statesboro, Hinesville, and Savannah. Before working in Georgia, she was a consultant for the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Tiffoni has worked with Sandals Resorts International as their Environmental Health and Safety Regional Manager, coordinating environmental and risk management programs. She has experience working in both the private sector and public sector in the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom on environmental health and safety. Trained as a Natural Resource Manager and Environmental Engineer; she holds a BSc. in Environmental and Natural Resource Management, an MSc. in Environmental Engineering, and a Master of Business Administration.
Description
Mr. Hernández has been working in the port industry since 2005. He has previously served as the Director of Business Administration at Port Everglades and Executive Director of the Port of Ponce, Puerto Rico.
Mr. Hernández holds the position of Director of the Business Development Division at Port Everglades. In this role, he supervises strategic business units that are responsible for property management, Foreign-Trade Zone No. 25, franchises and business permit programs, and all cargo lines of business. These lines of business generate approximately $56 million in yearly revenue for the Port.
Mr. Hernández holds a master's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Port Management from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA, and a Master of Science in Transportation Economics and Maritime Management from the Institute of Transport and Maritime Management in Antwerp, Belgium.
He has participated in various professional development activities, including graduating from the Urban Land Institute's Leadership Institute (South Florida/Caribbean), Class of 2018, and the American Association of Port Authorities Port Professional Manager, Class 2023, where he was the Cohort Captain.
Mr. Hernández currently serves in various American Association of Port Authorities' Committees as vice-chair of the Economic Development Committee and a member of Professional Development Board.
Description
Patrick Jordan is the chief legal officer of the Port of Albany, NY, where he serves as legal advisor to the Board of Commissioners, CEO, and staff. He represents the Port in litigation and all other legal proceedings, including directing the work of legal staff and retained outside counsel. Patrick drafts and/or reviews all legal agreements (e.g. contracts, leases, bids) regarding Port tenants, vendors, consultants and projects. He coordinates the drafting of Port policies and procedures and drafts all Albany Port District Commission Board resolutions and regulations.
Prior to joining the Port, Patrick was the Deputy Corporation Counsel for the City of Albany and served as counsel to the City Council, Planning Board, and the Citizens’ Police Review Board. Patrick serves as Chair of the AAPA’s Law Review Committee, as Vice President of the Board of the USS Slater Destroyer Escort Historical Museum and as a member of the Board of the Albany Law School Government Law Center.
Patrick is a graduate of Albany Law School, where he was an associate editor of the Albany Law Journal of Science and Technology. He earned his BA from Siena College.
Description
Delphine Prévost is the Port of Oakland’s Manager of Finance and Administration Services for the Maritime Division, a position she has held since 2014. Ms. Prévost’s areas of responsibility include budgeting, revenue management, tariff administration, and a real estate portfolio representing over $150 million of revenue annually. Ms. Prévost first joined the Port in 1997 and later returned in 2008; prior to her current role she held various positions responsible for work in the areas of environmental planning, regulatory compliance, dredging, capital program delivery, and financial planning. Delphine has also worked in the private and non-profit sectors on a variety of San Francisco Bay resource and real estate development projects. Ms. Prévost holds a Bachelor of Arts in Earth Science from UC Berkeley and Master of Business Administration from McGill University.
Description
Patrick Blair is the Vice President of Engineering at Port Tampa Bay, joining the Port in 2010. Patrick oversees all of Port Tampa Bay's capital improvements including design, permitting, construction and dredging. As well overseeing the maintenance of the Ports approximately 5,000 acres including two Spoil Islands and over 70 Berths.
Patrick has more than 20 years of engineering and construction experience. Before joining the team at Port Tampa Bay, Patrick was a structural design consultant at Weber and Tinnen Structural Engineers, and has been a principal and owner at several structural consulting firms. He has also been a structural forensic expert on hundreds of cases acting as an expert witness.
Patrick is a Licensed Professional Engineer, and Special Inspector in the State of Florida. Patrick has a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from the University of South Florida, with a Capstone in Structural Engineering. Patrick served as a decorated Sergeant in the Unites States Army, receiving two NATO Medals for his participation in the Kosovo and Bosnia campaigns.
Description
Micah Cormier is the Chief Commercial Officer for the Port of South Louisiana, the second largest tonnage port in the Western Hemisphere. In this role, Micah drives the strategic development of Port properties, acts as a liaison for business and industry partners, oversees communications and marketing initiatives, and cultivates strong governmental and community relationships. He previously served as the Port's Director of Communications.
During his tenure on the Executive Staff, Port of South Louisiana achieved three consecutive years of tonnage growth and record-breaking revenue. He was the Port's point person in renewing and negotiating long-term leases with major industry partners, including the groundbreaking $1.35 billion investment by Woodland Biofuels to establish the world’s largest carbon-negative renewable natural gas plant and ultra-green hydrogen facility at the Port of South Louisiana. Through strategic collaboration with federal and state officials, the Port has secured millions in state and federal funding to enhance Louisiana’s infrastructure and stimulate economic development.
A proud native of Louisiana, Micah discovered his passion for public service early in life. After attending Louisiana State University, he went on to work with various local, state, and federal leaders, including Governor John Bel Edwards, Governor Bobby Jindal, Congressman Troy Carter, and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle. His experience includes serving as Executive Director of Communications and Technology for St. Charles Parish Government.
Currently, Micah is the Chairman of the Public Relations Committee for the American Association of Port Authorities and a member of GNO Inc. NextGen Council. He was named in New Orleans CityBusiness' Power List, which recognizes the region's most influential professionals. He was also selected as a member of the New Orleans Regional Leadership Institute Class of 2025 and included in River Parish Magazine's 20 under 40. Micah is a certified Maritime Port Executive through the International Association of Maritime and Port Executives.
Description
Jenifer Barsell is the Director of Marketing and Communications for the Port of San Diego. She has over 20 years’ experience in the marketing and communications field, working mostly in the sports and government industries. Jenifer joined the Port in 2016 and since that time has led an organizational rebrand, website redesign and launched several award-winning marketing and communications outreach campaigns.
Prior to her stint at the Port, Jenifer worked for the University of Washington Athletics Department overseeing the marketing, game presentation and fan engagement for the Huskies’ 22 intercollegiate sports. Her career also includes over 13 years working in professional baseball, including two years at Major League Baseball in New York City working on the digital side of the business and over 11 years leading the marketing efforts for the San Diego Padres.
The San Diego native holds a Master of Business Administration degree and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business from California State University, Chico.
Description
Joseph A. Riccio, Jr. is the Port Director for the Port of Davisville/Quonset Development Corporation. He was named to this position in November 2019. Located within the Quonset Business Park in North Kingstown, Rhode Island, the Port of Davisville is one of the leading importers of automobiles in the United States. In addition, Joe leads the Port of Davisville’ s business development efforts for new business for Finished Vehicle Logistics (new automobile imports) and other project cargo. The Port of Davisville and QDC have and will continue to play a role in the development of the Offshore Wind energy industry. Joe leads the Port of Davisville’ s efforts positioning the Port as a leading Offshore Wind Operations and Maintenance center in the Northeast.
Joe recently served as a Senior Economic Advisor to the Rhode Island Secretary of Commerce and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation. He spent 20 years in the Port and Maritime profession in Connecticut. Joe is a member of the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA) and former Board member. He currently serves as Vice Chair of AAPA’s Offshore Wind Committee. He is a member and Vice President of the North Atlantic Ports Association. In addition, Joe is an active member of the Oceantic Network building a strong relationship between public ports and the Offshore wind industry. Joe served as Chairman of the Connecticut Maritime Commission from 2009 to 2016.
Joe is a graduate of Sacred Heart University (BA) in Fairfield, CT and of the University of Bridgeport (MA). Joe is a member of the USCG Area Maritime Security Committee and is an Associate Fellow at Branford College of Yale University.